I’ve been sorting through my (rather scant) collection of D whistles, and recently uncovered this little gem, which I suspect might be an Ó Briain Improved, circa mid-2000s. It’s got the same Feadog head and looks to have the same extra bit (though worn down somewhat) he adds to the ramp. Can anyone familiar with his work confirm my suspicions? It plays quite nicely, though I wonder if I’d like the brass version he sells these days.
Stiofan, Looks like an O’Briain to me: The giveaway is that the clear plastic addition to the labium isn’t a flat single plane piece of plastic, but rather there is one flat plane of plastic from the labium edge to where the window walls end, then there is a break angle where the added plastic bit goes “flat” relative to its previous ramp angle. That clear plastic piece is also much thicker there at the “back”. I hope that description makes sense…
I haven’t seen all the iterations of the Freeman whistles, but to date I’ve not seen any whistle other than the O’Briain Improved that has the double angle labium glue-on piece.
I’m not saying all O’Briains have this ramp, as the earliest versions may have had a flat single plane plastic piece, which is what Peter’s photo of the whistle on the left seems to have. Those are both O’Briain whistles, Peter?
The 3-4 O’Briains I’ve played - 1 or 2 Nickel and 2 brass - were all quite consistent in sound and playability, with the nickel being just a bit brighter sounding if you’re sensitive to such things, so if you like the Nickel plated O’Briain, I expect you’ll like the Brass version. Great whistles.
Yes, they are. One has the ramp, the other hasn’t (which is why I posted them both). So the ramp is not necessarily a distinguishing mark.
My point was that the angled ramp is distinguishing if it is present, as I am unaware of any other whistles with this feature. The whistle in the photo that Stiofan posted,to my eye, appears have the angled ramp. That said, I recently developed an impairment to the vision in my left eye, so my observation of the photo may be suspect.
Yes, you’re right. I probably should have said not having a ramp is not a distinguishing mark.
I was posting from my phone post-concert in the Burren tearooms in Kilfenora over coffee and a sandwich. That’s my excuse anyway.
Thanks fellas. I do vaguely recall acquiring an Ó Briain whistle back around 2002(?), which must be this one. It was shortly thereafter that I started playing a Burke Session D, so the Ó Briain hasn’t had much playing time since then. Interesting it’s now called simply the ‘Improved’ when apparently there were changes made to update it to the ‘New Improved’ as @Loren mentioned here. I’ll be curious if the current brass body version has a warmer tone than the nickel. I sold my Burke recently, so am adjusting to the very different playing requirements of the Ó Briain.
Peter, no worries.
Stiofan, I currently have both types of O’Briain whistles in question: An older nickel with the stick on label, and the most recent iteration with the newer painted logo, in brass. It’s been a while since I played them back to back, but I will endeavor to do so in the next few days and give you my thoughts. Just have to find a time when I’m home and my neighbors are away. The joys of apartment living…..
I had a quick back to back play comparison with my old style nickel O’Briain and my new style brass body O’Briain:
The brass version is definitely less bright sounding, or perhaps more “warm” sounding as you say, than the older nickel version. It’s hard to quantify the amount of difference between the two however to MY ears, the difference is more than “very slight” but far less than “drastic”. The differences are most apparent in the 2nd octave.
I believe you’d like the new brass O’Brians, Stiofan, though I’m not sure how much of a difference in tone you’d be looking for in order to make purchasing a new whistle worthwhile for you.
FWIW, both of my whistles have the same type plastic insert glued on the ramp, and I can see no difference in the headjoints that would account for the tone differences between the whistles. OTH, there is at least a 2 gram difference between the nickel and brass tubes - 36g vs 34g. The added weight of the nickel plating would account for the brighter sound and slightly higher (perceived at least) volume.
Final note, I previously said the new logo is painted on and that is incorrect: It’s actually black lettering on a clear sticker. Apologies from Mr. Magoo for the mistake.
Thanks @Loren
I generally prefer whistles with brass tubes, as they at least seem to be warmer/less bright in tone to my ear, so I’ll most likely order an Ó Briain over the summer. I’ve got a Freeman Blackbird C on the way, as well as a Whorfin A in the queue, so plenty of whistles (along with my low Ds) to keep occupied with.
@Mr.Gumby
I wonder if Cillian would be inclined to send out one of his better ones for me, as I know you’ve said you’ve actually picked out the best one from a box full. We’ll see.
Yes, that is an O’Briain Improved ! I bought my first one in Adare, Ireland, in 2004. It still works.
All of the whistles discussed here have brass tubes. Feadog, Generation, Walton, Oak etc. all have brass tubes.
Some of them have a nickel plating. Funny isn’t it, that some people seem to think that the shiny nickel plated ones are somehow “brighter”?
PS. I have two O’Briain “improved” whistles, one on its original D tube and one currently on a Generation E flat tube.
Are you saying you doubt my infallible Golden Ears?!?!
INCONCEIVABLE!!!
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“Golden ears” … shiny, shiny 
They’re actually gold-plated ears, with brass underneath.
Gold’s move from $3200 to over $5600 in the last year forced me to go with the gold plated ears.
Yo, they still look and hear bright and shiny enough for my upcoming rap video, dog.
Gold plated is still good. I’ve had to make do with tin.
Not to worry, I hear there’s a new trend: Tin is in!
My leaden ears keep my big head grounded…
